Level Up Your Casual English: Essential Slang Phrases
Want to sound more natural and engaging in everyday conversations? Understanding and using modern English slang is key. This guide introduces practical slang terms to help you chat like a native speaker.
“What’s up?” and Responses
“What’s up?” is a ubiquitous greeting, essentially meaning “How are you?” or “What’s new?” Avoid detailed explanations; typical responses include:
- “Not much.” (Nothing significant is happening.)
- “Nothing.” (Similar to “Not much.”)
- “Same old, same old.” (Everything is as usual.)
- You can also reply with a brief update about something you’re doing, like, “Just chillin’ at home.”
It’s casual, so keep the reply brief and often reciprocate with “What’s up?” back to the person who asked.
“Hang out”
“Hang out” simply means to spend time together, usually in a relaxed and informal way. Examples:
- “Want to hang out this weekend?” (Do you want to spend time together this weekend?)
- “We’re just hanging out at my place.” (We’re just relaxing at my house.)
“Chill”
“Chill” has multiple meanings, all related to calmness and relaxation.
- As a verb: “Let’s chill at the park.” (Let’s relax at the park.)
- As an adjective: “He’s a chill guy.” (He’s a relaxed and easygoing person.)
You can also use “chill out” which means to relax or calm down. “Chill out, man!” means “Calm down!”
“Hit me up”
“Hit me up” means to contact someone later. It’s an informal way of saying, “Call me,” “Text me,” or “Message me.”
- “Hit me up when you’re free.” (Contact me when you have free time.)
- “If you need anything, just hit me up.” (If you need anything, just contact me.)
“For real?”
“For real?” is an expression of surprise or disbelief. It’s similar to saying, “Really?” or “Seriously?”
- “I won the lottery!” “For real? That’s amazing!”
“No worries”
“No worries” is a casual way of saying “You’re welcome” or “It’s okay.” It indicates that something is not a problem.
- “Thanks for helping me.” “No worries!”
- “Sorry I’m late.” “No worries, it’s fine.”
“I’m down”
“I’m down” means you’re willing to do something or participate in an activity.
- “Want to go to the movies?” “I’m down!” (Yes, I want to go!)
“That’s sick!”
“That’s sick!” means that something is really cool or awesome. Don’t be confused with actual sickness; in this context, it’s a compliment.
- “Did you see his new car?” “Yeah, that’s sick!”
“Awesome” and Alternatives
“Awesome” is a general expression of approval. Other alternatives include:
- “Cool” (Simple and widely used.)
- “Great” (Standard positive response.)
- “Sweet” (Informal and friendly.)
- “Rad” (More old-fashioned, but still used.)
“Totally”
“Totally” means absolutely or completely. It’s used to express agreement or enthusiasm.
- “Was the movie good?” “Totally! I loved it.”
“Basically”
“Basically” means essentially or in summary. It’s used to introduce a simplified explanation.
- “So, what happened?” “Basically, the car broke down.”
Bringing it all together
Using these slang phrases will make your English sound more natural and contemporary. However, remember that slang is context-dependent. It’s best used in casual settings with friends and peers. Avoid using slang in formal situations, such as job interviews or presentations.
